Confirmation Bias
Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that occurs when people favor information that confirms their existing beliefs or hypotheses. This bias can lead people to ignore evidence that contradicts their existing beliefs, and instead seek out evidence that supports them. It is a type of selective thinking that can lead to poor decision-making and inaccurate conclusions. Confirmation bias can be seen in many areas of life, from politics to science.
History of Confirmation Bias
The concept of confirmation bias was first identified by the English philosopher and scientist Francis Bacon in the 17th century. He noted that people tend to seek out evidence that confirms their existing beliefs, rather than evidence that disproves them. Since then, the concept has been studied extensively in psychology, economics, and other fields. In recent years, confirmation bias has been linked to a variety of cognitive biases, including the availability heuristic, the hindsight bias, and the anchoring effect.
Comparison Table
| Confirmation Bias | Availability Heuristic | Hindsight Bias | Anchoring Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Favors existing beliefs | Relies on easily recalled information | Belief that events were predictable | Relies on initial information |
Summary
Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that occurs when people favor information that confirms their existing beliefs or hypotheses. This bias can lead people to ignore evidence that contradicts their existing beliefs, and instead seek out evidence that supports them. It is a type of selective thinking that can lead to poor decision-making and inaccurate conclusions. To learn more about confirmation bias, visit websites such as Psychology Today, Harvard Business Review, and The Conversation.
See Also
- Availability Heuristic
- Hindsight Bias
- Anchoring Effect
- Selective Perception
- Groupthink
- Illusory Correlation
- In-Group Bias
- Out-Group Bias
- Stereotyping
- Fundamental Attribution Error
